FOR THE WAUSAU TIMES

WAUSAU — The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with the support of community partners has achieved its goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million households safer across the country.

Since launching in October 2014, the campaign has saved at least 1,928 lives nationwide — including 5 people in Wisconsin — from the threat of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. Most often, these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms.

“We are proud of our incredible work with community partners to help save lives by providing free smoke alarms in Wausau as part of the national Home Fire Campaign,” said Kathryn Halvorsen, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Wisconsin North Central Chapter. “This amazing effort has been made possible by every volunteer, donor and supporter who teamed up to care for vulnerable families in our community.”

Locally in the Wisconsin Region Red Cross volunteers and partners have:

• Installed 3,257 free smoke alarms

• Made 1,250 households safer
• Shared preparedness resources & lessons with 4,250 students & partners

FREE HOME FIRE SERVICES TO CONTINUE Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services, including a Sound the Alarm event on October 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to install 100 free smoke alarms in the Wausau community.

REGISTER FOR A “FREE” HOME FIRE SAFETY VISIT
The Red Cross responds to a home fire or other disaster every 8 minutes, and we are making homes fire resistant through the Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign. At no cost to homeowners, we would like to demonstrate some simple changes in the home that will help you protect your family against fire. In addition, the Red Cross will install a FREE smoke alarm within your home. During your home visit, you will receive:

Smoke alarms, installed for you
Guidance in the development of a Family Disaster Plan
Valuable emergency preparedness tips and information
All demonstration and installation services will be performed by Red Cross-trained volunteers and/or licensed/insured professionals.
The Red Cross is encouraging individuals to sign up for this free program.

More information can be found at: https://www.redcross.org/local/wisconsin/about-us/news-and-events/events/sound-the-alarm-wisconsin.html or call 888-376-4056 to sign up for an appointment on October 21, 2023.

In addition, the campaign’s other services will continue, such as teaching children about the threat of home fires and what to do through youth preparedness programs, installing accessible fire safety equipment like bed shaker alarms and strobe light smoke alarms for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and providing home fire safety resources in American Sign Language.

Home fires account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually in across the country. So far in 2023, Red Cross volunteers have helped over 2,961 people affected by about 539 home fires across Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, by providing emergency lodging, financial assistance for urgent needs like food and clothing, and one-on-one recovery support for navigating next steps and connecting with community resources.

Read more stories and see the campaign’s national impact at redcross.org/HomeFireStories.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Help save lives through the campaign by becoming a volunteer or making a financial donation to prepare, respond and help families recover from home fires. Learn more at https://www.redcross.org/local/wisconsin/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign.html

You can also help your family by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan. Additional safety tips are available at redcross.org/fire and on the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in mobile app stores).

Our major sponsors for Sound the Alarm in Wisconsin include: Brewers Community Foundation, Delta Dental, Johnson Controls and We Energies Foundation.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.